E-Business Harrys.com

Question: Discuss about the Report for E-Business of Harrys.com. Answer: Company Overview Since the medieval royalty to the soldiers of World War II, men shaved their faces using a single blade. Safety razors are associated with providing the smoothest shave; nonetheless, business corporations continue to sell razors with more than one blade. There are various renowned companies that trade in safety razors and multi-blades, including dollar shave, Gillette, and Harrys. Harrys.com is a business to consumer (B2C) business website that majors in trading personalized high-quality blades, cream for shaving, as well as affordable blades for replacement. Harrys online business site was founded by Jeff Raider and Andy Katz in April 2013; however, Harrys launched its first physical brick and motor shaving shop in October of the same year in New York City, USA (Polo et al., 2015). With the strong urge to grow its business, the company purchased a Germany razor manufacturing factory worth $100 million (Delrey, 2014). Harrys.com is a web-based start-up that is developed on the princi ples of offering consumers simple, superior, and affordable shaving solutions. The company sells its products online through online subscriptions. Harrys is a fully established brand now that is continually winning customers from across the US. The key competitors of the company are Gillette, Schick, Bic, and Dollar Shave Club. Harrys.com controls approximately 5% of the market share (Bartels, 2000). Ease of using Harrys.com business site As aforementioned, Harrys.com is a business to consumer retailing website that majors in men shaving products. The business site is simple to use; customers are only required to subscribe to the companys offerings, and the shaving supplies are directly mailed to the customers mailbox at low price and at specified frequency (Spence, 2014). Despite its newness in the marketplace, the business model of the company has enabled Harrys.com to reach more than two million customers in just over two years in business. New customers continue to subscribe to Harrys.com while the company maintains approximately 60% retention rate of all subscribed customers. To achieve maximum revenues, the company manufactures all its products and owns all the distribution means. E-business application used Business applications are defined as computer-based information systems essential for providing automated support to the companys operations. E-business application on the other hand, is an information and communication technology application that supports all business activities of a given internet business (IOANNIS, 2015). For instance, commerce comprises of trading goods and service among businesses, individuals and groups is regarded as a crucial part of any trading organization. Internet commerce is especially centered on ICT to create external business activities and relations of the company with groups, other companies, and individuals. Electronic-business application is a wide entity that deals with the whole business system which comprises of companies that use internet medium to execute its business services or assist its specialized or overall business operations. E-business application also covers e-commerce and e-marketing (Feloni, 2015). E-commerce mainly describes the transactional context of the business. E-marketing involves providing an electronic medium through which a company can accomplish its marketing objectives. Harrys use their website to attract new potential customers through e-advertising and e-marketing and enhancing the efficiency of their services through e-support and e-service functions, and widening its reach and extent through the web by uploading their services and products on the web. The company uses a web business application to increase sales, reduce marketing costs, increase customer accessibility as well as communicate directly to consumers. Harrys.com use online subscriptions (Business to Consumer (B2C)); after a customer subscribes to the company site, the products are then mailed directly to the customers mailbox (Barclay, 2014). E-commerce marketing strategies For Harrys, internet marketing strategies are an indispensable part of the companys business plan. Given the urge to be on a leading spot as a provider of consumer shaving products, Harrys have made their retail website easy to access in order to reach a wider customer base. Furthermore, the 21st century is made up of up to 63% population that has knowledge and can successfully make digital purchases and thus Harrys, a web based company has directed its marketing efforts to the internet to attract as well as maintain customers (University Alliance, 2016). E-marketing strategies include: Mobile marketing Social media Email Content, and Video marketing (University Alliance, 2016) Harrys e-marketing comprises of all the above online marketing strategies. The growth of smartphone use has empowered a massive population to access the internet through their mobile devices. The company has thus optimized its website making it mobile friendly to allow the wider population to access company cont and products using the mobile phones (University Alliance, 2016). Accordingly, social media is another massive marketing platform that Harrys use to promote its products as well as attract new customers. In the same breadth, the company encourages its customers to use their social networks to refer new customers to the company. In addition, email marketing is at the core of the companys marketing activities; it is through email subscriptions that Harrys manages to communicate frequently with their customers together with mailing products to their customers (University Alliance, 2016). Content marketing is another key online marketing strategy that Harrys use to market and pro mote its products. Internet publicity about the companys services has done magic to building trust, credibility, authority and creating inbound links with its audience (University Alliance, 2016). E-commerce Supply Chain Strategy According to Kepes (2014), the biggest challenge for e-commerce businesses is inventory management; having enough inventories to run the business without failing your customers is always the key to success. E-retailers are thriving at exponential rates as compared to conventional retailing models due to their supply chain management strategies. From abovementioned, Harrys use a direct to consumer business model, in this regard; the company manufactures all its products and sells them direct to final consumers (Trusson et al., 2014). The company does not deal with intermediaries or use drop shipping or wholesale suppliers. After purchasing nearly a century old shaving blade manufacturing company in Germany, Harrys manufactures its own supreme quality blades and high-end handles which are then shipped directly to the customer on order. E-commerce security strategies Online businesses are prone to massive online security challenges. In response to this, online companies work to provide security at all levels of the organization to keep their business from harm. In accordance with this, e-commerce us a 5 point website security strategy to keep out intruders: Backup Redundancy: storing company information in another secure location whereby when something happens to your information in the primary storage, the same information can be retrieved from the backup storage. Harrys use cloud based backup storage to secure its critical information from malicious online actors (Johns, 2016). PCI Compliance: security standard council that ensures best practices for payment account security. Harrys is fully compliant to PCI by following the tokenization method. Encryption: online companies must encrypt their data in order to ensure that only authorized individuals can access. Harrys use data encryption protocol to ensure its website is secure. DDoS protection: Harrys has protected its e-commerce business against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks using different tools, including 800lb free tool and CloudFlare (Johns, 2016). Firewalls: firewalls are used for allowing or disallowing traffic based on what the company has authorized. Harrys use firewalls to block unauthorized traffic as well as malicious internet traffic from accessing the companys network system (Johns, 2016). IT architecture IT infrastructure is a set of combined hardware, software, networks, and facilities in order to develop, test, deliver, monitor, control or support IT services. IT infrastructure is needed for the existence, operation as well as management of an e-business. For instance, it allows organisations deliver IT solutions and services customers, employees as well as partners. Harrys use public WANs and public cloud to transport mechanisms along with software as a service. The IT infrastructure provides a suitable platform necessary for IT applications and functions for Harrys. Conclusion and Recommendations E-business (electronic business) provides a platform for conducting businesses processes through its business website. Internet business procedures is composed of trading products, services, and supplies; processing payments, customer servicing, production control managing, work together with business partners, and information sharing. This report using harrys.com has exhaustively discussed different aspects of e-business including company operations, the ease of using the companys site, the e-business application used by the company and e-marketing strategies. Consequently, the report also has evaluated e-commerce supply chain strategies, e-commerce security strategies and IT architecture. The following are the recommendations for Harrys Company: Integrate online marketing strategies with social media marketing strategies in order widen its customer base while increasing its profitability. Venture into new product lines like boutique rather than relying on shaving products alone Improve its IT architecture. Bibliography Barclay, D.A., 2014. Serving online customers: lessons for libraries from the business world. Rowman Littlefield. Bartels, A. 2000. The difference between e-business and e-commerce. Available Online at: https://www.computerworld.com/article/2588708/e-commerce/e-commerce-the-difference-between-e-business-and-e-commerce.html Delrey, J. 2014. Razor Startup Harry's Raises $75 Million, Pushing It Over $200 Million. Say What? Available Online at: https://www.recode.net/2014/12/3/11633506/razor-startup-harrys-raises-75-million-pushing-it-over-200-million Feloni, R. 2015. The CEOs of shaving startup Harrys explain how they acquired a million customers in 2 years. Available Online at: https://uk.businessinsider.com/harrys-ceos-explain-how-they-acquired-a-million-customers-in-2-years-2015-12 Fox, A.R. and Wilson, E.G., 2015. Networking and the development of professionals: Beginning teachers building social capital. Teaching and Teacher Education, 47, pp.93-107. (Fox Wilson, 2015) IOANNIS, S., 2015. Design, analysis and presentation of Intrusion Detection Systems (Doctoral dissertation, TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CRETE). Johns, J. 2016. 5 Pillars of Website Security for E-commerce Retailers. Available at: https://dropsuite.com/5-pillars-website-security-e-commerce-retailers/ Kepes, B. 2014. Harrys: Disrupting Shaving and Making E-Commerce Impossible. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/benkepes/2014/02/05/harrys-disrupting-shaving-and-making-e-commerce-impossible/#5be7399238bd Polo Pena, A.I., Frias Jamilena, D.M. and Castaneda Garcia, J.A., 2015. Market orientation and business results among smallà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ scale service firms. Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administracin, 28(1), pp.135-166. Spence, R. 2014. Why having retailer Harrys is not your average online startup. Available Online at: https://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/fp-startups/why-shaving-retailer-harrys-is-not-your-average-online-startup?__lsa=e9d1-1c04 Trusson, C.R., Doherty, N.F. and Hislop, D., 2014. Knowledge sharing using IT service management tools: conflicting discourses and incompatible practices. Information Systems Journal, 24(4), pp.347-371. University Alliance, 2016. Internet Marketing Strategies. Available Online at: https://www.usanfranonline.com/resources/internet-marketing/internet-marketing-strategies/#

APUSH Research Paper Essay Example

APUSH Research Paper Paper The late 1800s and early 1900s, during the era of post Emancipation, the United States was a period of identity exploration, enlightenment, and empowerment, as well as interdivision, discrimination, and adaptation for the African American peoples. Social revolutionists like Marcus Garvey and role modeled entrepreneurs like Madam CJ Walker were among the many blacks that influenced the national black community during their time of struggle and search for societal and economical direction. Walker and Garvey both strived for the advancement of their people, but had different long term effects on blacks and plans for the future. Walkers use of Eurocentric ideals to beautify Black features socially and economically carried her higher than any woman, let alone black woman, in the business world. Her use of advertisements created a standard of black beauty in America that would gain acceptance. Garveys efforts to create a movement glorifying Afrocentric culture and lifestyle resulted in criticism from his own people and federal attention. These historical fgures in the African American community were a part of a long lasting conflict of identity within the black race and the continuation of developing a black American culture completely different than African culture, creating a disparity between what it means to be African and African American. Madam CJ Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, was the first one of her family born into freedom in 1867 in Delta, Louisiana. With the time periods lack of indoor plumbing, central heating, and electricity, most Americans bathed infrequently, causing people like Walker to experience hair loss and scalp disease. We will write a custom essay sample on APUSH Research Paper specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on APUSH Research Paper specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on APUSH Research Paper specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Walker experimented with home remedies to find a cure. Soon, she developed her own line of hair care and moved throughout the ountry to major industrial cities like Pittsburgh and Indianapolis to spread its use. In Pittsburgh, Walker established Lelia College in 1908 to educated hair culturists and expand her empire. It was in Indianapolis that she opened her headquarters and factory. With her success, Walker believed in empowering the black community by providing a place where they can develop skills to become successful entrepreneurs. Her institutions taught and trained black women to build and manage themselves in the business world. She also gave lectures on social, economic, and political issues sponsored by black institutions. As time went on and blacks dispersed throughout American society, racial violence and discrimination in the South became the social norm. Jim Crow Laws enacted in 1876 during the annexation of Reconstruction legally separated blacks from whites and created the hatred of the black race. After the East St. Louis Race Riot, Madam CJ Walker united with the leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in their efforts to bring lynching as a federal crime. Through her efforts to support black advancement, Walker donated large amounts of her earnings to rganizations like the NAACP, black schools, orphanages, and retirement homes and was acknowledged in 1918 at the biennial convention of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) for making the largest contribution to save the Anacostia a $250,000 estate in New York which was built by the first licensed black architect in New York State, Vertner Tandy. Never before had a black woman from the south born of slave parents climb the social and economic ladder to success and become the wealthiest African-American woman in America and known to be the first self-made female American millionaire. Between the 1890s and early 1900s, blacks struggled with white acceptance, and often went to extreme measures to make themselves appear to have enough white blood in them to fend themselves from the worst types of discrimination. Slavery deprived Africans of the natural oils and herbs they used to maintain healthy hair, thus forming the definition of the word nappy as foaming to describe the kinky matted texture of the slaves hair which has become a way to further stigmatize Black hair. The nations social, political, and economic system had been determined by racial appearance and standards. Madam CJ Walkers hair care product advertisements often depicted European features on a black woman, insinuating that the more white you are, the more beautiful, socially accepted, and capable of achieving a better life you are. On one label, Walker herself is depicted with long, straight hair and light skin. This label sends the message to her customers that they too can achieve this luscious, Eurocentric hair when they use this product, ensuring a more appealing and Americanized view of black beauty. Another ad for Madam CJ Walkers miracle products shows a woman with White features, ossibly portraying that Walkers products could work on any type of hair, or advertising a look that everyone should achieve to maintain their society-approved womanhood. Despite Walkers astounding accomplishments as a post- Emancipation black woman, her inventions and goals toward helping blacks achieve success contributed to the appreciation of Eurocentric culture, ideal of self-hatred within the black communities, and growth of the belief that African features were not beautiful. These adaptations to American societal standards were a means of survival for Walker and ther blacks who used Eurocentric ways to create a culturally accepted life for themselves. These ways of living and gaining recognition in the white communities created a divide between blacks who glorified and strived to uphold Afrocentric traditions like Marcus Garvey. Jamaican political leader, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. was born in 1887 and became many things including a resolute proponent of the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements. He founded many pro-black Communities League, the Black Star Line, part of the Back-to-Africa movement, which promoted the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands. His ability to actualize a mass movement and economic empowerment for Africa created the ideal of Garveyism. Influenced by Booker T. Washington, Garvey became intelligent as a child from reading books from his fathers extensive library. He attended Birkbeck College in London, taking Eurocentric education to use to his advantage in applying his knowledge to leading a nation of mentally and economically broken people. The early 1900s in the northern states of America was a period of Black advancement and pride. During the Harlem Renaissance era, when blacks developed a culture of rts, literature, politics, and a new social identity, Garvey began publishing his widely spread newspaper, Negro World, in August of 1918. As the editor, he used the paper as a means to spread black nationalism through an everyday primary source to those of African ancestry at home and abroad. Garveys Negro Magazine gave blacks a literary social life (inspiration) that was never attainable as slaves. The magazine was strong with words of motivation and pride that encouraged blacks to keep fighting and be proud of their ancestry. This decision of following Eurocentric or following Afrocentric ideals and culture divided blacks along intellectual lines. Ga o. ey was criticized by his own race for wanting to empower blacks and bring them back to their homeland, where they can populate and live without the poverty, violence, and racism in America. In an excerpt from the article Africa for Africans from Garveys paper, Negro World, he speaks on those who are opposed of his efforts to continue the Pan-African Movement. One editor and leader went so far as to say at his Pan- African Congress that American Negroes could not live in Africa, because the climate was too hot. All kinds of arguments have been adduced by these Negro intellectuals against the colonization of Africa by the black race. Some said that the black man would ultimately work out his existence alongside of the white man in countries founded and established by the latter (Garvey). Garveys written ideas of people going back to their original continents to restructure cultural peace are expressed in this excerpt from Negro World. He writes about his feelings towards the Negro intellectuals, he calls them, who are in denial and opposed to his ideas of an Afrocentric empowerment movement. The criticisms and oppositions from educated blacks in seeing themselves inherently different from Africans follows the issue of the growing distance between Africans and African Americans. It also presents the fear that white supremacists will have yet another reason for racial violence towards blacks, as expressed in a letter sent to Harry M. Daugherty, United States Attorney General. African American leaders opposed to Garveys plans to spread among Negroes distrust and hatred of all white people, write this source entitled, Garvey Must Go, in hopes to enforce Federal involvement to capture Garvey. This letter tries to make clear that not all blacks follow Garvey, to make known that these specific blacks in New York writing the letter are good and obedient civilians. This document describes Garvey as a foreign violent menace to all Americans and seems to want security from the whites in power so they dont begin to think that all blacks in America are preparing to rebel. And so the interdivision amongst blacks intellectually and economically, resulted in Garveys long-term goals positive way to advance Negro Americans in society, however, inspired religions, such s the Nation of Islam and Rastafari movement, and inspired more Afrocentric pride in the years of the Harlem Renaissance and further development of Americas black culture. The combination of Eurocentric and Afrocentric cultures began to create the African American culture. Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller was a celebrated black female artist and the daughter of a barber and hairdresser/wig maker in 1877. In Philadelphia, she was encouraged to use her creative mind to sculpt. As she became older and influenced by Eurocentric culture, she was able to get a decent education nd study art under sculptors in France. Upon arriving back to Philadelphia in the early 1900s-20s, she realized her art style became subdued. She began engaging in the African American experience by creating pieces rooted in black culture during the Harlem Renaissance. Her sculpture Ethiopia Awakening displayed a woman in African garments symbolized her appreciation for her African heritage and symbolized what was happening to the black community as a whole during the Renaissance and spread of Garveyism. Female artist Augusta Savage was also nfluenced by African American leaders like Garvey and W. E. B. DuBois, this black woman artist was inspirational during the period of black excellence in music, art, literature, and ideals†the Harlem Renaissance. Savage not only sculpted pieces that projected black culture, history, and united pride, but busts of both Garvey and DuBois, symbolizing their leadership as admirable and responsible for the flourishing of the Afrocentric black community in the 1920s. This racial consciousness and gratification for the black race benefitted in American society as well. This infant of African American culture embodied American education and values as well as African features and traditions. The cultural transformation of the Black Community during the late 1800s and early 1900s influenced all aspects of being black in America. By adapting Eurocentric values African Americans were able to fight and survive in American society. Madam CJ Walker, Marcus Garvey, and a united but divided black community, who were stripped of their kingdom, language, and customs during slavery, used the coexistence of Afro and Eurocentric ideals, traditions, and cultures to create one of their own.

Free Essays on Wal-Mart

Table of Contents I. Title Page II. Table of Contents III. Executive Summary IV. Situation Analysis a. Environment b. Industry c. Firm d. Marketing Strategy V. Problems Found in Situation Analysis a. Statement of Primary Problems b. Statement of Secondary Problems VI. Strategic Alternatives for Solving Problems a. Description of Strategic Alternative  · International Expansion b. Description of Strategic Alternative  · xxxxxxx c. Description of Strategic Alternative  · xxxxxxx d. Description of Strategic Alternative  · xxxxxxx VII. Selection of Strategic Alternatives and Implementation a. Statement of Selected Strategy b. Justification for Selection of Strategy c. Description of Implementation of Strategy VIII. Appendices a. Sustainable Competitive Advantage b. Application of:  · Porter’s five forces  · Michael Porter’s â€Å"Diamond of National Advantage.† c. III Executive Summary Sam Walton is the founder of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. which was established in Rogers, Arkansas 1962 due to the introduction of a new type of retailing concept called discount retailing. At the same time there was also the emergence of two well known competitors K-Mart and Target which only solidified that the American consumer was shifting more towards a different type of a general store. Walton had recognized a growing market for discount retailing and with extensive research in the United States and overseas he developed the concept â€Å"Sell name brand merchandise at low prices† which soon became the model for all Wal-Mart stores to follow. Wal-Mart from in its early stages began to aggressively expand. Sam Walton has had experience in the retailing industry prior the company’s actual creation with his starting point at J.C. Penny’s as a management trainee, and after WWII branched off in the acquisition of a series of Ben Franklin variety stores. Apparent in the makeup of Wal-Mart cultur... Free Essays on Wal-Mart Free Essays on Wal-Mart Wal-Mart Abstract Sam Walton, a leader with an innovative vision, started his own company and made it into the leader in discount retailing that it is today. Through his savvy, and sometimes unusual, business practices, he and his associates led the company forward for thirty years. Today, four years after his death, the company is still growing steadily. Wal-Mart executives continue to rely on many of the traditional goals and philosophies that Sam's legacy left behind, while simultaneously keeping one step ahead of the ever-changing technology and methods of today's fast-paced business environment. The organization has faced, and is still facing, a significant amount of controversy over several different issues; however, none of these have done much more than scrape the exterior of this gigantic operation. The future also looks bright for Wal-Mart, especially if it is able to strike a comfortable balance between increasing its profits and recognizing its social and ethical resp onsibilities. Why is Wal-Mart so Successful? Is it Good Strategy or Good Strategy Implementation? In 1962, when Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas, no one could have ever predicted the enormous success this small-town merchant would have. Sam Walton's talent for discount retailing not only made Wal-Mart the world's largest retailer, but also the world's number one retailer in sales. Indeed, Wal-Mart was named "Retailer of the Decade" by Discount Store News in 1989, and on several occasions has been included in Fortune's list of the "10 most admired corporations." Even with Walton's death (after a two-year battle with bone cancer) in 1992, Wal-Mart's sales continue to grow significantly. The Wal-Mart Philosophy Wal-Mart is successful not only because it makes sound strategic management decisions, but also for its innovative implementation of those strategic decisions. Regarded by many as the entrepreneur of the c... Free Essays on Wal-mart Table of Contents I. Title Page II. Table of Contents III. Executive Summary IV. Situation Analysis a. Environment b. Industry c. Firm d. Marketing Strategy V. Problems Found in Situation Analysis a. Statement of Primary Problems b. Statement of Secondary Problems VI. Strategic Alternatives for Solving Problems a. Description of Strategic Alternative  · International Expansion b. Description of Strategic Alternative  · xxxxxxx c. Description of Strategic Alternative  · xxxxxxx d. Description of Strategic Alternative  · xxxxxxx VII. Selection of Strategic Alternatives and Implementation a. Statement of Selected Strategy b. Justification for Selection of Strategy c. Description of Implementation of Strategy VIII. Appendices a. Sustainable Competitive Advantage b. Application of:  · Porter’s five forces  · Michael Porter’s â€Å"Diamond of National Advantage.† c. III Executive Summary Sam Walton is the founder of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. which was established in Rogers, Arkansas 1962 due to the introduction of a new type of retailing concept called discount retailing. At the same time there was also the emergence of two well known competitors K-Mart and Target which only solidified that the American consumer was shifting more towards a different type of a general store. Walton had recognized a growing market for discount retailing and with extensive research in the United States and overseas he developed the concept â€Å"Sell name brand merchandise at low prices† which soon became the model for all Wal-Mart stores to follow. Wal-Mart from in its early stages began to aggressively expand. Sam Walton has had experience in the retailing industry prior the company’s actual creation with his starting point at J.C. Penny’s as a management trainee, and after WWII branched off in the acquisition of a series of Ben Franklin variety stores. Apparent in the makeup of Wal-Mart cultur...

Education Issues and Special Education Needs Essay

Education Issues and Special Education Needs - Essay Example This paper analyzes the major challenge with this funding system which is in the ability of schools to determine the students who require funding based on the assessment of their level of disability. The school may not be able to have competent staff to determine whether the student has a problematic behaviour. This can lead to the exclusion of needy students into the system. In all the funding systems discussed above, the provision of resources necessary for the maintenance of students without statements concerning special education needs should be delegated to schools. However, there are variations in the factors that applied in determining the amount of resources the school should receive. Students with statements concerning special education needs need to be funded on an individual basis to ensure that they fully benefit from education. Full support of children with disability ensures that they are not disadvantaged when in comes to the allocation of resources and in competing with other students to meet the requirements of standard education. This essay makes a conclusion that local authorities should allocate funds to the schools based on the numbers of students entitled to free school meals in the cases whereby they do not have documented statements concerning special education needs. However, they should avail adequate funds to cater for the children with statements concerning special education needs. The funding should be based not on the availability of funds but on the needs of the students with disability. Limiting funds for the sustenance of these children leads to suffering in their attempt to achieve quality education as other members of the society. Students with disability should also be entitled to education grants from the government to fund their education as other members of the public.

Harvard referencing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Harvard referencing - Essay Example Available from: http://www.unn.ac.uk/central/isd/cite/index.htm (Accessed: 21 May 2004). University of Liverpool/Laureate Online Education (2007) Lecture notes from Managing People Module Seminar 4 [Online]. Available from: University of Liverpool/Laureate Online Education VLE (Accessed: 28 February 2007). Fedchak, E. & Duvall, L. (1996) An engineering approach to electronic publishing, Proceedings of the International Workshop on Multimedia Software Development, 25-26 March, Berlin. Los Alamitos, California: IEEE Computer Society Press, pp.80-88. Al-Madhoun, M. & Analoui, F. (2004) Developing SME managers under fire: negotiating obstacles and weaknesses in Palestine, Journal of Management Development, 23 (5), pp.479-495, IngentaConnect [Online]. Available from: http://www.ingentaconnect.com (Accessed: 9 June 2005). 5. Podcast University of Liverpool/Laureate Online Education (2007) Lecture notes from Managing People Module Seminar 4 [Online]. Available from: University of Liverpool/Laureate Online Education VLE (Accessed: 28 February 2007). Pears, R. & Shields, G. (1995) Cite them right: referencing made easy [Online] Northumbria: Northumbria University. Available from: http://www.unn.ac.uk/central/isd/cite/index.htm (Accessed: 21 May 2004). University of Liverpool (n.d) Referencing and Developing a Bibliography using the Harvard Method. Available from: http://www.liv.ac.uk/library/ohecampus/referencing/referencing.htm. (Accessed: 8 July

Pellet Catalyst Development using Ferroxcube Process

Pellet Catalyst Development using Ferroxcube Process Pellet catalyst development using the Ferroxcube process The pellet preparation followed the classic routine of the powder metallurgy industry (NTUA): hematite (Fe2O3) or magnetite (Fe3O4) powders were homogenized in a plasticizer and greasing environment, within a rotating pan (Figure 7). Consequently, disks were pressed in a 150 bar hydraulic press (Figure 8). NTUA used the experience of CERTH (coordinators of the HYDROSOL projects to proceed in the proper preparation of the pellets). Figure 7. Rotating panFigure 8. The 150 bar hydraulic press After the initial pelletization by the hydraulic press, the pellets were undergone sintering and reduction in a controlled atmosphere (oxygen-reduced atmosphere) oven as shown in Figure 9, in order to obtain the magnetite phase certified by XRD, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 9. The sintering oven.Figure 10. XRD response of the sintered pellet, certifying the magnetite phase The porosity of the pellet and the neck development, offering substantial mechanical properties, have been monitored by SEM, as shown in Figure 11, as well as by the classic pressurizing methods. This way, the magnetite pellets have been stabilized in mechanical, electric and magnetic properties, offering mechanical robustness and electric resistivity below 10 Ohm or 3 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­Ohm.m (non-used pellet). Furthermore, an advanced manufacturing process has been proposed by the SUN Unit to the above-mentioned industrial technique. During sintering and reduction process, magnetic field can be added externally to the sintering and reducing ovens to magnetically orient the magnetite dipoles in the desired direction, allowing for advanced Lorentz force control. 2.2. A thin-film catalyst We have conceived and developed a thin film device for the hydrogen production which can be integrated in an automated system. The device can also be used for the reduction and oxidation process in oxide semiconducting films supported by metal substrates-wafers, even if they do not exhibit coherent magnetic order. The method is based on the Lorentz forces acted on the reducing oxidizing conducting electrons in the said oxide semiconducting films. Hence, this device can trap oxygen and hydroxyl from transmitted water, thus producing hydrogen. This such reduction and oxidation process in open air, as well as controlled atmosphere conditions. A particular application, useful for the HELENIC REF project refers to the three-layer depicted in Figure 15. The upper layer consists of a magnetite film not thicker than 500 nm, an insulating thin film supporting the magnetite film, not thicker than 500 nm and finally a metallic wafer made of Al or other metal, supporting the insulating and the magnetite thin film. Figure 15. Schematic of the catalyst Possible manufacturing methods include electrodeposition, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition as well as lithography and masking methods for the generation of electric contacts on the upper thin film. Concerning Fe3O4 (magnetite) film, a preferable but not obligatory condition is to be able to provide magnetic order in all grains of the ferrimagnetic cells of the oxide. This is achieved by magnetic field during deposition or by post-processing magnetic field annealing with subsequent field cooling. The desired properties of the Fe3O4 (magnetite) film are indicatively as follows: Structure of the magnetite phase, which can be certified by X-ray powder diffraction Multi-grained microstructure with small necks between grains, monitored by Electron Microscopy Resistivity below 10 kOhm, indicative of semiconducting phase Magnetic order, observed by monitoring the magnetic hysteresis loop Mechanical robustness observed by hardness and wear measurement Applying electric current through the metallic support of the film results in magnetic field parallel to the surface of the film and vertical to the applied electric current. The amplitude of this field is: Where I is the applied electric current and a the thickness of the film. If the thickness a (sum of the magnetite film and the insulating thin film) are less than 1 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­m and the current I is C Amperes, then the applied field is: Thus, the applied field is controllable by the applied electric current through the metallic support. This current can easily be in the order of one Amperes in dc mode or several tens of Amperes in pulsed mode, if the thickness of the metallic support is in the order of 100 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­m, thus allowing the transmission of magnetic field larger than 1 T in the vicinity of the oxide semiconducting film. Therefore, passing electric current through metallic support, one can simulate the magnetic field vertical to the direction of electric current passing through the magnetite thin film. The directions of these two electric currents characterizes the direction of the Lorentz force on the conducting electrons of the magnetite film. Parallel currents result in forcing the electrons towards the insulating thin film, while anti-parallel currents force them towards the surface of the magnetite film. These two different directions of Lorentz forces have a different effect on the operation of the magnetite thin film, acting as catalyst for the production of hydrogen. Passing electric current along the magnetite film, independent on the electric current passing through the metallic substrate of the magnetite film, (i.e. from another source), along the same direction of the current transmitted to the metallic substrate, results in a Lorentz force acting on the charge carriers (electrons) moving them from the surface towards the insulating thin film. Thus, the surface of the magnetite film becomes activated, in other words is reduced due to the removal of the mentioned Lorentz electrons. Activation is the generation of electron vacancies, offering the generation of new oxygen vacancies (excess of oxygen vacancies). Thus, the resistivity drops, and the applied voltage results in higher current, which increases the local temperature to 280 320C. Such temperature increase is observable by any kind of pyrometer. The temperature increase is dependent on the combination of the electric current passing through the oxide semiconducting film and the magnetic field transmitted to it due to the electric current passing through the metallic support. The effect is reversible and un-hysteretic: increase or decrease of the amplitude of I x H product, where I is the applied current on the oxide film and H the field resulting from the current on the metallic substrate, results in un-hysteretic and reversible increase or decrease of the temperature and reduction of the oxide film respectively. Such activation can be maintained even in open air: the competition between the Lorentz electrons based reduction and the free air oxidation finally results in oxidation which can also be macroscopically observed by the decrease of the activated (reduced) area on the free surface of the film. Having limited the current passing through the metallic support may result in activation (reduction) shrinkage. In this case, increasing the current transmitted to the metallic substrate before the radiation disappears, or before oxygen vacancy excess disappears, the oxygen vacancy excess is rejuvenated. Such rejuvenation is completely reversible by using the magnetic field produced by the current passing through the metallic support (in the order of 1 T). After complete oxidation (phase transformation of all the Fe3O4 film to Fe2O3) such oxygen vacancy excess and consequent reduction of the compound is impossible with magnetic fields of this order. The reduction and oxidation process can be monitored by measuring the surface resistivity of the magnetite film. Such resistivity depicts the increase or decrease of oxygen vacancies on the surface and consequently the bulk of the oxide pellet. Increase and decrease of this resistivity is equivalent to the oxidation and reduction of the resistivity of the surface respectively. This effect is observable in all types of oxide semiconducting films even in the absence of coherent magnetic order in them. To be able to observe this effect in oxide semiconducting films, they should be in a continuous solid state form, exhibiting even a small electric conductivity, and provided that magnetic field and electric current of proper waveform and amplitude are simultaneously applied on the semiconducting oxide film and the conducting (metallic) support. Such reduction mechanism can be used in the reduction of compounds passing on or through the film surface. Our focus is the reduction of pure vapor water to H2, by means of trapping the oxygen or the hydroxyl of the water molecule to the reduced (or activated) magnetite. Such oxidation with consequent hydrogen production can be reversed back to oxide reduction (activation) by means of stopping the water vapor transmission. This way, the two electric currents will reduce (activate) again the surface of the oxide film, provided that no water vapors are transmitted to the pellet surface or body. A certain application of such effect is the use of the said pair of Fe3O4 (magnetite) film with its metallic support for the production of hydrogen and oxygen from water vapors, using the following algorithm: Independent electric currents pass through the metallic support and the oxide semiconducting film in the same direction. Thus, the surface of the oxide semiconducting film is reduced (activated). Then, water vapor is transmitted on the surface of the oxide semiconducting film, resulting in oxygen trapping, hydrogen production and oxidation of the surface of the oxide semiconducting film. As soon as the resistance of the surface of the oxide semiconducting film exceeds a certain threshold, indicating reach to a critical level of oxide film surface reduction, the water vapor transmission is stopped. Thus, the oxide film surface is re-activated, followed by consequent oxygen release, until the resistance of the oxide film surface reaches a minimum threshold, indicating proper reduction (activation), which is proper for oxygen trapping. Then, water vapor is re-transmitted to the re-activated oxide film surface for hydrogen production. The production of hydrogen and oxygen is followed by an automatic storage of these two gases in different chambers to be used for any scope, like thermal combustion or fuel cell operation or other purpose. Development of the thin film catalysts The Dynamic Hydrogen Bubble Template (DHBT) is an excellent method for the fabrication of macrostructures with nanoporous side walls. The method has been named from the phenomena when a series of hydrogen-bubbles generated on the surface of the substrae act like a dynamic negative template. Figure 1 demonstrates the theoretical approach of the technique. Figure 1(a) illustrates the hydrogen-evolution taking place on the surface there is no metal/metal-oxide deposition. The size of the bubbles increasing along the distance from the substrate surface. Fig 1(b) shows the SEM-image of copper nanofoams prepared by DHBT. Figure 1. (a) Simplified description of DHBT generated metal/metal-based foams; (b) Honeycomb-like Cu-deposit structure made by DHBT. The electrochemical deposition procedure of the development of the catalyst is divided in two main parts. At first preliminary experiments on deposition of magnetite film were carried out in order to determine the orders of amplitude of the different involved parameters (current density, geometry etc.). , the electrochemical deposition of iron-oxide films was carried out as a preliminary approach. Based on the results of the characterization, the parameters of the deposition were varied in a high range in order to obtain 3D-structured porous nanofoams. The films were electrodeposited onto copper substrates (purity: 99.5%). The substrates were mechanically polished with 800 and 2000 emery papers, respectively. Henceforward, the polished substrates were ultrasonically cleaned in deionized water, ethanol and acetone, respectively. The 2 cm2 active surface area of the substrate was ensured by commercial nail-polish and insulating tape. The galvanostatic deposition was carried out in a two-electrode cell using a DC Power Supply. Platinum-mesh was used as counter electrode. Two different arrangement of the working electrode have been tested as shown in Figure 2. The electrolytic bath was a strongly alkaline solution with pH 12.5 made of 0.037 M Fe2(SO4)3.x H2O, 0.1 M triethanolamine (TEA) and 2 M NaOH. After mixing the components at T = 80 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C the solution had greyish-green color and no turbidity was observed. The parameters of the deposition process were varied in the terms of current density, bath temperature and deposition time. The range of cathodic current density was chosen j = 5-15 mA.cm-2, the depostion time was given from 5 min to 6 hours and the bath temperature was adjusted T = 60-90 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. The nominal thicknesses of the prepared structures were calculated by using the Faraday-law. The surface morphology of the deposited film-layers were studied by scanning electron microscope (Nova NanoSEM 230) and the crystallographic characterization was determined by X-ray diffraction (Bruker D8 Advance, Cu radiation-40kV, 35mA). Figure 16. a) copper triangle used as working electrode (W) by turning the active surface towards the surface of the electrolyte b) copper-plate (W) used as working electrode by immersing it totally and by turning the active surface towards the counter electrode (C). Concerning the development of 3D-structured porous films, the substrate deposition was not changed (Cu-foil, purity: 99.5%). SiC polishing papers were used in grade of 800, 1500, 2500 and 4000, respectively as a surface pre-treatment. All the pre-treated samples were ultrasonically cleaned in deionized water, ethanol and acetone, respectively. In that case, the active surface area of the substrates was reduced to 0.5 cm-2 and fixed with nail-polish and insulating tape. The galvanostatic deposition was carried out in a two electrode cell using a BioLogic SP 300 potentiostat. Platinum-wire was used as counter electrode. Concerning the result of the film-deposition the arrangement of the working electrode was set in vertical position. The electrolytic bath, concentrations and its properties were the same as described above. The cathodic current density was varied in the range ofj = 0.075-1 A.cm-2, the depostion time was changed between 30 sec to 180 s and the bath temperature was adjusted T = 90 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Similar films have also been developed by using sputtering deposition and electron-gun aided deposition (Figure 17). Apart from the electrolytic method, thin magnetite films were also deposited onto insulating films by usign spuutering and electron gun physical evaporation at the NTUA. However, the obtained results on the porosity of the magnetite films are not comparable with the DHBT method and therefore they are not demonstratable at their current stage. Nevertheless, experiments are under way to obtain PVD films of the quality observed in the electrodeposited films. Characterization of catalysts Structural analysis The catalyst pellets were prepared by a proprietary process from Fe3O4 powders. IP SAS used Fe3O4 powder with declared purity better than 99% and nominal grain size of 2-4um supplied by chemicalstore.com, product code FE3O4M1. The phase composition determined by XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) is shown in Figure 38. Minor traces of Hematite can be observed at 32.8 ° 2Theta for the sample produced at IP SAS. Figure 38. XRD patterns from pellets prepared by SUN (red) and IP SAS (blue). Marked constituent phases are Magnetite (blue lines) and Hematite (black lines) A typical XRD response in the bulk SUN pellets and in bulk CERTH pellets is illustrated in Figure 1, demonstrating exclusive magnetite presence. Figure 1. XRD response of bulk pellets from SUN (left) and CERTH (right) illustrating exclusive presence of magnetite Phase transformations were studied by the means of in-situ XRD presented in Figure 41. Samples were mortar milled to obtain a fine powder that could be spread on the sample holder of the furnace. Milling force was kept minimal to preserve the structure of the pellet parts. Linear heating with indicated rate was used to obtain well-defined diffraction maxima with respect to the signal to noise ratio. Diffractometer was configured for parallel beam illumination with a secondary LiF monochromator to supress fluorescence from the Fe containing pellets. Formerly purely magnetite pellets are transforming to hematite in the vicinity of 300 °C. After the transformation no other phase change was observed. Pellets supplied by SUN exibit the transformation at higher temparature than the pellets prepared at IP SAS. This can be atributed to the smaller size of the Fe3O4 crystallites in the SUN pellets. Detailed pattern examination is shown in Figure 42. The studied powdered pellets exhibit only presence of magnetite and hematite respectively. Diffraction maxima at 26 ° 2Theta corresponds to SiO2 present as a thin layer grown on the non-reflective Si sample holder. Figure 41. In-situ XRD patterns of catalysts in air atmosphere with indicated heating rate Figure 42. In-situ XRD patterns of annealed catalyst pellets at indicated temperatures. Marked constituent phases Magnetite (blue lines) and Hematite (black lines).Catalyst prepared at SUN left, IP SAS right. Crystallographic study of the iron-oxide thin films samples was also realized. Figure 4 represents the identification of the observed peaks. Figure 4(a) shows the results of sample prepared in 3300 s in 70 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C bath with -5 mA.cm-2 current density. Grazing incidence XRD patterns of this sample indicate the presence of magnetite (blue lines) and copper substrate (green lines). Grazing angle was 2 (red curve) and 6 degrees (blue curve), respectively. In Figure 4(b) the results of sample with same conditions as in Figure 4(a) can be seen, but in this case the current density was -9 mA.cm-2. Here, grazing incidence XRD patterns indicate iron (grey lines) and copper (green lines). Grazing angle was 2 (red curve) and 6 degrees (blue curve), respectively. Figure 4(c/1) and (c/2) show the results of XRD taken from the same sample with deposition conditions of 2 hours deposition time in 85 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C bath and -12.5 mA.cm-2 current density. Figure 4. X-ray diffractograms of the iron-oxide electrodeposited samples prepared under different conditions. a, Άt=3300 s,T = 70  °C, j= -5 mA cm-2; b, Άt=3300 s, T= 70 °C, j= -9 mA cm-2; c/1, Άt=7200 s, T= 85 °C, j = -12.5 mA cm-2; c/2, powder scratched from the surface of sample c/1 In Figure 4(c/1) the grazing incidence XRD patterns were done on the sample with the substrate. Clear evidence of magnetite (blue lines), iron (grey lines) and copper as substrate (green lines). Grazing angle was 2 (red curve) and 6 degrees (blue curve), respectively. Figure 4(c/2) demonstrates grazing incidence XRD pattern of loose powder from the same sample as (c/1). Only magnetite phase (blue lines) is detected. Grazing angle was 2 degrees. The XRD results show clear evidence of magnetite if the current density does not exceed 8 mA.cm-2 cathodic current density (see Figures 4(a) and (b). Apart from that, XPS studies have also been performed after the check meeting. For integration reasons, they are demonstrated only in the Milestone 1 document. Microstructural analysis Morphology of pellets after preparation was studied by the means of SEM (scanning electron microscopy) shown in Fig. 39. The particle size is larger for the catalyst prepared by SUN. The particle size of sample prepared at IP SAS is in good agreement with the manufacturer specification and is rather homogenous in size distribution. Sample prepared at SUN is exhibiting a different size distribution ranging from very fine sub-micron particles up to particles with size increasing 50um shown in Fig. 39 and 40. As can be seen the porosity of the prepared pellets is higher for the pellet prepared at IP SAS. The grid shown in Fig. 40 is protecting the sample from being destroyed by the magnetic field in the microscope and thus contaminating the microscope system by fine magnetic dust in the pole-piece, lens and detector system. It is worth to mention that the particle size is not directly explaining the diffraction maxima broadening shown in inset in Fig. 38. This is due to the fact that the diffraction domain size is rather different than the grain size of a particle. We can surely state that the diffraction domain size is smaller in the pellet prepared at SUN rather than at IP SAS despite the observed grain-size distribution. Figure 39. SEM micrographs of catalysts prepared by SUN (left) and IP SAS (right) Figure 40. Low magnification micrographs of catalyst prepared by SUN (left) and IP SAS (right) Micrographs from the CERTH pellets (Figure 41) illustrate a clear evidence of necks, responsible for the significant reduction of temperature. Figure 41. Micrographs of the CERTH pellets, illustrating the presence of micro-necks, responsible for the improvement of the electric and mechanical properties Concerning the thin film catalysts, SEM analysis was performed. Figure 3 demonstrates 4 different SEM-images of the prepared samples. Fig 3(a) was taken on a sample prepared in 300 s deposition period in 60 °C bath with -7.5 mA cm-2 current density, and the nominal thickness was 2.24 ÃŽÂ ¼m. In Fig 3(b) can be seen the morphology of the sample prepared in 300 s at 70 °C with-5 mA cm-2 current densitywith nominal thickness of 23.55 ÃŽÂ ¼m. Fig 3(c) shows the SEM-result of the sample deposited with the same bath temperature and current density as 3(b) but extended deposition time: Άt = 900 s (dn = 30.28 ÃŽÂ ¼m). Fig 3(d) represents the SEM-image of the sample prepared in the highest bath temperature 90 °C with 5 min deposition time, -7.5 mA cm-2 current density (dn = 4.42 ÃŽÂ ¼m). The SEM-images clearly show the structural changes by increasing the bath-temperature. Filamentous deposit structure has been observed at 90 à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Due to the galvanostatic deposition mode the potential values have been not recorded. For better understanding of the structural formations potentiostatic deposition mode should be done. Figure 3. SEM-images of the electrodeposited iron-oxide samples with different deposition parameters (a) Άt=300 s,T= 60 °C, j= -7.5 mA cm-2 at 30000X magnification (b) Άt=300 s, T= 70 °C, j = -5 mA cm-2 at 15 000X magnification(c) Άt=900 s, T= 70 °C, j= -5 mA cm-2at 10000X magnification (d) Άt=300 s, T= 90 °C, j= -7.5 mA cm-2 at 10000X magnification. Concerning nano-foam, due to the fact that the experiments were done in the close past the characterization of the prepared nanostructures was done only by scanning electron microscope. Figure 5 demonstrates the first promising results of the electrochemical deposition of iron-based 3D structures by using hydrogen generation on the surface as a negative template. Such a structure was a result of applying -0.375 A.cm-2 and more negative current density, namely -1 A.cm-2 with different depositing times. Fig 5(a) to Fig 5 (c) represents a possible building process of the 3D networks with pore size range in 2-6 ÃŽÂ ¼m. Other type of deposit can be observed at Fig 5(d) to Fig 5(e) with numerous dendrites along the pore-sides by using current density -0.375 A.cm-2 with different deposition times. The formation of porous layer is not so obvious like in the previous case, but the size of pores are close in the same range than the pores formed at -1 A.cm-2.

Global Climate Change Technology and Carbon-Cycle Projection Models :: Greenhouse Gases Pollution

Global Climate Change Technology and Carbon-Cycle Projection Models Introduction â€Å"Global climate change† is the hippest buzz phrase for radical environmentalists, dutiful scientists, industry heads, and policy-makers alike. Philosophically, it is proof that the environment is humanity’s connective tissue; whether your life’s work is spent tilling a field, manufacturing steel, or conducting conference calls, global climate change affects you. The gravity of this human-environment issue is highlighted in the headlines of the EPA’s â€Å"Science and Policy News†: â€Å"Researchers See ‘No Doubt’ of Human Influence on Climate,† â€Å"Climate Change May Be Greater Threat to Biodiversity than Habitat Loss,† â€Å"Largest Arctic Ice Shelf Breaks Up† (http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/NewsandEventsScienceandPolicyNews.html). To ensure the further sustainable progress of humanity, it is critical that we work to understand our relationship to climate and its changes. This paper is an assessment of the current work being done to foster that understanding. Specifically, it evaluates global climate change modeling technology, especially the carbon-cycle models imperative for emissions-reduction policy. Climate Science Driven by interactions between the atmosphere, the sea, and life on land, climate is the â€Å"average weather† of Earth (http://www.met-office.gov.uk/research/hadleycentre/models/climate_system.html). The climate system is the sum of the gas, heat, and momentum exchanges that take place between all the components of climate: the atmosphere, the biosphere, the cryosphere (icy earth surfaces), and the land surface. Global climate determines the Earth’s weather; tropical storms, drought, and other large-scale weather events can have catastrophic effects on human communities. Global climate determines Earth’s seasons; crop growing seasons ebb and flow with annual rain and sun variations. Global climate determines the terrestrial and oceanic composition of Earth; should average global temperature rise enough, ice caps and glaciers melt, increasing sea levels on coastal zone where millions of people live. In short, the global climate system influences the most ba sic processes we depend on for survival. A bare-bones definition of climate change refers to variations in climate within different time scales, or to a change in the long-term weather patterns on the planet. However, the broader connotations of the term are critically important to an understanding of climate technology and its applications. Though climate change can be caused by fluctuations in Earth’s cycles and temperature due to â€Å"natural† flux in solar radiation, seasonality, or atmospheric concentration (as happens after a volcanic eruption), the term increasingly implies changes in global temperature with significant economic, social, and environmental ramifications (http://nsidc.